Nikkei cuisine isn’t new to Miami. Restaurants that fuse Peruvian and Japanese cultures can be found in just about any neighborhood around here. That’s why it takes a lot to stand out above the rest. Miami Beach’s Sakura 736, with its fun flavors and beautiful presentations, is one of the restaurants that’s doing things right.

Only a few things can compel us to visit West Kendall during weekday rush hour. One of those things is Eileen Andrade’s food. The chef, of Finka Table & Tap fame, has opened a new restaurant just a few blocks away from her original eatery.

Unlike the monstrous Finka, Amelia’s 1931 is a much more intimate affair. But just like its larger sibling, this new Cuban diner is a culinary force to be reckoned with.

At La Mar inside the Mandarin Oriental on Brickell Key, dinner is more than just a meal. Anyone familiar with Chef Diego Oka’s culinary work knows that his Peruvian cooking is not just bursting with flavor but also bustling with beauty. His latest seasonal menu is no exception: Expect a parade of lively colors and unique tastes to tantalize your senses.

At La Mar inside Mandarin Oriental, Miami, you’ll find one of our favorite chefs: Diego Oka. We’ve been to La Mar several times (Exhibit A and Exhibit B), and Chef Oka’s dishes have always left us dazzled. Unsurprisingly, this year’s Miami Spice menu elicited the same response: $39 for this quality of food is a steal.

Since starting the blog, we’ve interviewed many members of the hospitality industry, and one constant among the interviewees has been a profound love for their pets. We thought it would be great to share this love with our readers.

That’s why we launched an ongoing feature called “Wag Wednesday” to showcase industry peeps and their pets. Know someone who wants to be featured? Email us at bark@miamifoodpug.com.